A progressive outlook on politics in Australia and abroad

Feel the Narrowing

The latest Morgan face-to-face poll is 56.5-43.5 2PP. From last week’s 62-38, that’s a narrowing of the margin by 11 points. It’s on, baby! Now, if I may put on my Dennis Shanahan mask for a moment:

Obviously, the voters have begun to pay attention to the election as 24th November approaches. We have long known that John Howard and his Team are regarded as superior to Labor in economic management. As the effects of the interest rate rise begin to trickle through, this issue is beginning to gain traction in the electorate.

Team Howard’s credibility on economic matters was bolstered this week by the release of an Auditor-General’s report on the Regional Partnerships Programme. The findings of this report highlight that the Government has been so capable in fiscal management that it has ample money for pork-barreling in marginal Coalition seats while maintaining healthy budget surpluses. Voters obviously realise that a Labor government would indulge in irresponsible spending initiatives to improve vital services and infrastructure and, consequently, would not be able to engage in pre-election vote-buying spending sprees without plunging Australia into deficit.